My little grandson was 8 weeks old yesterday. Crazy hard to believe, but then it’s May already. MAY.

Ridiculous.

As it turned out, his due date had been miscalculated, because when he arrived they realized that he was not as far along gestationally as they’d thought. After a few weeks, my daughter was a little concerned that he didn’t seem to be tracking with her (locking his eyes onto her face, or an object, and following it when she moved it). He didn’t really seem to lock onto anything, almost appearing to look past it. But, just about the time she was ready to ask the doctor about it, he showed up to the party.

Now he’s a tracking professional. He tracks toys, and other kids, and he even locked onto the phone screen when we were FaceTiming the other day. And while he loves to watch all his family, I suspect that it’s his mother whom he loves to track the most, as she’s the one who meets his daily needs. It’s her voice and face he knows best, and good things happen for him when she’s within sight. (About the video: our guy loves a good swaddle 🙂 )

I’m astonished, at times, how often and easily my eyes stray from tracking with my Jesus. I know – KNOW – that when my eyes are locked on Him and I track His every move, good things happen for me. I’m girded up with strength to handle the not-so-good things thrown at me by the world when He’s my focus. But even knowing this, I allow myself to become distracted, to look past Him and lose the sound of His voice calling me back in the din and clatter of life.

As I write this, I’m reminded of an old hymn. The chorus goes like this…

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Maybe that’s the key, to “look full” at His face. That’s how Brody does it, capturing his mom’s whole face, both eyes, in his field of vision, and then he’s ready to follow. Perhaps if we slow down enough to grasp the picture of His face in full, not just a side glance or in our periphery, we won’t lose our focus. I don’t know about you, but I could stand for the things of the earth to grow strangely dim a LOT more often.

I’m grateful for Someone to track whom I know will never lead my eyes anywhere they shouldn’t go. You might want to give a little shout out for that yourself.

“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever.” Hebrews 12:2 MSG

 “Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror. But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.” Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”He said, “Come ahead.” Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he [took his eyes off Jesus and] looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?” Matthew 14:24-31 MSG